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Lovebirds Nikki and Jennifer had an intimate, fun wedding in Bethesda, Maryland. Their colors were purple and silver.

Let’s start at the beginning. How did you two first meet?

We linked up online. It was weird because we didn’t know at that the time that we both had just relocated to Maryland, so we were online trying to network and meet new people. After perusing each other’s profiles a few times, one of us decided to ask a few questions. After exchanging a few messages back and forth, we decided we wanted to meet face to face.

Nicole’s birthday was on the horizon right before Memorial Day and we both had plans, so we could not schedule anything until the June 2. Nicole had just run a marathon that weekend prior and it was her daughter’s birthday, so the meetup was scheduled for a time after she celebrated her daughter’s birthday. We decided to meet at a public place. We were new to the area so we were very cautious about putting ourselves out there.

There was no video chatting via cell phones at that time so we relied on our gut feelings alone. We met at the Laurel Mall’s Victoria Secret store. Nicole arrived first and was looking over items on the far wall. When Jennifer walked in, she didn’t know Nicole was already there. Approaching the middle of the store, she saw someone with braids and the same body build as Nicole’s, based on the pictures she had seen. As Nicole turned around, time seemed to stop for Jennifer. There was an immediate connection.

We both were nervous but managed to get our introductions out. We decided the best way to relax would be by sitting in the food court for a light meal. We couldn’t stop smiling and didn’t want that time to end. Jennifer ended up inviting Nicole back to her house to meet the family and the rest, as they say, was history. A forever bond was made that day that grew stronger as the years progressed.

What makes your relationship special? Tell us some things that you both value in your time together.

Our relationship is unique because it transcends time and space. We can be in the same room and still miss each other. One might say, “How is this possible? You are always together.” Missing someone is more than just longing to be in their presence. It’s about the communications you share. The deep spiritual connection that lifts you higher every day. The ability to sense something is wrong even if you are not in the same room. Getting on each other’s nerves but still sitting there pushing each other’s buttons then laughing about it all. Never wanting to go to bed mad because you don’t want to risk losing your best friend.

Our time together is never forced because we are in a relationship; it’s almost like a longing that draws us near to each other. We push each other to be our best selves and hate to see someone trying to take advantage of the other person. We are always taking up for each other, even when it’s not necessary. We are always asking each other, “”ou want me to go over there and beat them up?” Over the top in love is what we are. #SquadGoals!

How did you know your partner was the one? When did you first know this in your relationship?

Jennifer: I have always known. This is not the MLK Jr. “I had a dream” speech, but truth be told, I had a dream about Nikki. There was a woman in many of my dreams that I felt a great connection with, real love, but she had no face so I didn’t recognize her. They say you can only see people in your dreams that you have actually seen at some point in your life, even if they were only a passerby on the sidewalk or the car in the other lane as you are stuck in traffic. When she turned around in that Victoria Secret store, in what seemed like slow motion, it all came 100-fold. Everything I dreamed about replayed in my mind in a millisecond; the face being filled in as the missing piece. The dreams then felt like distant memories, as if we were reliving a previous life. So in essence, I have always known since we first met. I just had to be a little patient because being friends was more important to me and Nicole had never really been in a relationship with a female before me. My entire plan was to just be friends and she was so cool. We had so many things in common that after a week or so, I was second-guessing the entire friendship thing, plus I didn’t want complications. She was a dream realized to me and it was only getting better day by day.

Nicole: I knew when we were apart for a time (figuring things out) the emptiness I felt without her. I know it’s cliché but she completes me. I like who I am when I’m in Jennifer’s presence. She makes me feel loved and safe. I can count on Jennifer to give it to me straight with no chaser. I can talk to her about any and everything and she just gets me. I’m crazy! Her happiness is my happiness.

Give us all the details about the proposal. How and where did it happen? Was it a surprise? What was the planning process?

It was a surprise. We both met up for a night out at Bar Louie’s to get an early start on my birthday month celebration. We were actually not in a formal relationship at the time so we were hanging out as friends (so inseparable). Nicole said she wanted to get some things off her chest before we actually started drinking and got tipsy. Jennifer thought it was going to be a big “Happy Birthday” and then gift reveal, but boy was she surprised. Nicole laid all her feelings out on the table and confessed her love for Jennifer and the recent realization that she had about how strong their bond was, how life was too short to be wasted any longer, and that she felt the only next move would be to get married. Then she popped the question right there at the table. Jennifer was in shock. It took her two days to finally say yes!

We’re all about the bling… Tell us all about that ring!

Nicole’s ring is a 14K rose gold band with a pink Morganite stone. It’s not the traditional diamond but it fits us. We are non-traditional and outside the box kind of people. I wanted something different and special for Nicole. She loves rose gold anything, so the ring fit her uniqueness perfectly.

Jennifer’s engagement ring is a rose gold and black titanium band. It is very simple, but sexy. Really fits her personality and fun side.

Are you excited to start planning your wedding day? Do you have any ideas in mind yet?

Yes, we are very excited to finally be starting that chapter of our lives. The planning is a little stressful at times, but Nicole’s sister is a great wedding planner and is keeping us on task. We just want the event to be fun so we are going with a game night theme. We really like to chill and have fun so it is important to us to create that vibe at our wedding and reception.

Alaina Leary Lavoie is an award-winning editor and journalist. She is currently the Communications Manager of the nonprofit We Need Diverse Books and was the senior editor for Equally Wed Magazine from August 2018 to March 2020. Her work has been published in New York Times, Washington Post, Refinery29, Healthline, Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Boston Globe Magazine, and more. In 2017, she was awarded a Bookbuilders of Boston scholarship for her dedication to amplifying marginalized voices and advocating for an equitable publishing and media industry. Alaina lives in Boston with her wife and their two cats. You can find Alaina on Twitter and Instagram @alainaskeys.

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